Stephen Colbert to Write New 'Lord of the Rings' Movie, Shares What the Story Will Center On

Stephen Colbert has lined up his next project after The Late Show ends!

The 61-year-old comedian and writer just revealed that he’ll be penning the next Lord of the Rings movie, tentatively titled, The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, according to Deadline.

Keep reading to find out more…

The big news was announced by longtime LOTR writer/director/producer Peter Jackson and Stephen himself, through a video in honor of Tolkien Reading Day and the destruction of the One Ring.

Peter first shared an update on the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, before bringing on Stephen for the announcement.

“You know what the books mean to me, and what your films mean to me, but the thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on in ‘The Fellowship [of the Ring]‘ that y’all never developed into the first movie back in the day,” Stephen shared. “It’s basically the chapter is ‘Three Is Company’ through ‘Fog on the Barrow-Downs,’ and I thought, ‘Oh wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story.’ Could we make something that was completely faithful to the books while also being completely faithful to the movies that you guys had already made.”

“I started talking it over with my son Peter, who’s also a screenwriter, and we worked out what we thought would work, especially as a framing device for that story. It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call, but about two years ago I did. You liked it enough to talk to me about it and ever since then the two of us have been working with the brilliant Philippa Boyens on how to develop the story,” he continued. “And we recently took it to Richard Brener at New Line, and Pam Abdi and Mike De Luca at Warner Bros, and I could not be happier to say that they loved it and so that’s what we’re gonna be working on.”

Peter then asked, “Now, are you sure you got the time though, because you know…,” before Stephen joked about The Late Show coming to an end.

“That, I did not think I would have the time, as much as I love it, I knew I couldn’t do that and do the show at the same time, but it turns out I’m gonna be free starting this summer,” the Late Show host said. “So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to finish a television show, and I’ve got to write a movie script, but I will see you all in the Shire.”

If you didn’t know, Stephen is a big, longtime fan of The Lord of the Rings!

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is being directed by Andy Serkis, who will also return to play Gollum, with filming taking place from May through October in New Zealand. It is currently scheduled for release in December 2027.

In case you missed it, find out what actress was recently announced to join the cast!